Doublelift’s Return To Team SoloMid Frames WildTurtle As An Awkward Third Wheel

Nobody enjoys third-wheeling – even personalities, who exist with a near permanent heart-warming grin on their face, will find discomfort in being the spare part to an otherwise enamoured couple. As Team SoloMid welcome back AD Carry Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng with open arms, it’s set to be a challenging split for the man who kept the seat warm in his absence, Jason “WildTurtle” Tran.

His mission accomplished and Team Liquid’s NA LCS status maintained for yet another split, Doublelift has inevitably returned to Team SoloMid to begin his training for the Summer Split. TSM’s official announcement on the TL situation, clearly outlined that Doublelift’s position with the relegation threatened squad would terminate at the end of the LCS 2017 Spring Split.

With WildTurtle still grateful to have a bed to his name in the TSM house, the reigning champions have delivered on their pitch for a six-man roster. Fitting all the pieces into the puzzle however will prove to be a difficult task for the heavyweight eSports brand.

Source: Riot Games Flickr

As part of Team SoloMid’s official announcement welcoming the AD Carry back to the roster, Doublelift reiterated his enthusiasm to play at the highest level:

“I’m really excited to be playing again on TSM, and feel reinvigorated from this break.

“After last season’s Worlds, I was overwhelmed by the weight of my massive underperformance when it mattered most.

“Coming back into LCS, my only priority is to win worlds and nothing else. It’s a huge honor to be able to play with everyone on TSM and I will make the most of it.

“This is the hungriest that I’ve ever been to succeed, and soon I will prove it to my teammates, my fans, and the world.”

Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng

Source: Riot Games Flickr

How will a six man roster work for Team SoloMid?

Substitutes within a League of Legends roster certainly aren’t unheard of, proven to be an effective form of strategic diversity by three-time World Champions SK Telecom T1 on numerous occasions. The Korean squad highlighted the value of internal competition, even for positions such as the Mid lane, where SKT pitched two of the best players in the games history against one another to earn a spot in the starting roster: Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok and Lee “Easyhoon” Ji-hoon.

Whilst the rotation system has proved beneficial in South Korea, it is yet to find notable success in the western LCS setup. In looking to successfully incorporate both Doublelift and WildTurtle into the roster’s strategy, Team SoloMid will need to accomplish something no other side has previously achieved; not even in Korea are AD Carries rotated on a game by game basis.

Source: Inven

Given that Doublelift was brought in as WildTurtle’s replacement, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which the former Immortals man would be given the nod over Doublelift. Team SoloMid have outlined that the two ADC’s would focus on their own quota of diverse strategies, though finding a strategy in which WildTurtle presents a better fit to Doublelift is certainly a head-scratching predicament. When the World Championship dawns, where will WildTurtle fit into the equation when every opposition is the best their respective region has to offer?

Irrespective of any previous heroics, it remains difficult to picture a scenario in which picking WildTurtle would provide an overwhelming advantage to omitting Doublelift from the starting roster. As a natural shotcaller and renowned as the best AD Carry in North America, Doublelift is widely accepted to be a better player overall.

Source: Riot Games Flickr

The sitcom of Team SoloMid’s AD Carry position is framed for a series of classic ‘third wheeling’ episodes. Yet not even in the farcical world of television would a script be acceptable as plausible in which: after a lengthy and enjoyable relationship, the love of your life kicks you out in favour of a better looking suitor, only to then take you back after it doesn’t work out with your replacement… before later asking that you split the time, that was once yours entirely, with the guy who replaced you, to give him another chance!

Wildturtle has already shown a willingness to leave TSM once before, and with Team Liquid evidently in the market for an AD Carry, it’s hard to imagine that he would choose to remain in Doublelift’s shadow rather than pursuing his options elsewhere. Whilst the prospect of a six man Team SoloMid roster fulfils its purpose of appeasing the community, the far more realistic outcome will be that TSM thank WildTurtle for his services once more, and usher Doublelift back to his former glory.

NA LCS Transfer Targets Who May Be On The Move In The Summer

Twelve NA Players Who Could Be On The Move

CLICKON examines twelve players who could be added, dropped, or traded in the time before the 2017 summer split.

Stunt – Probability: Moderate

With the recent announcement of Shady being named as the starting support for Phoenix1, Stunt should be high on the list of multiple NA teams looking for an upgrade at the support position. After a breakout rookie season, he has proven he has the potential to be a top tier support in NA. A return to his former organization in Team Liquid would be plausible, or a potential trade to Echo Fox.

Deftly – Probability: Moderate

eUnited's AD Carry is one of the most talked about NA CS talents currently available. After a strong performance at the Promotion Tournament, he may be a viable option for teams in desperate need of ADC help.

LirA – Probability: Low

The most valuable member of EnVyUs's line-up , any rebuild will likely be built around him. If he didn't count as an import, LirA's value would be through the roof as one of the best junglers in NA. With limited teams that have import slots open and his immense value to NV, do not be surprised in LirA stays put.

WildTurtle – Probability: High

Team SoloMid has stated they will move to a six-man roster with the arrival of Doublelift, but in reality whoever does not gain the starting ADC position on TSM will be highly sought after. With multiple teams in NA in desperate need of ADC help, look for Turtle to be on the move.

Adrian – Probability: Moderate

Once an All-Star for the NA LCS, Adrian now finds himself as a free agent after his departure from Team Liquid. While the talent is undeniable, many of Adrian's pocket power picks are currently out of the meta, and rumoured team issues may cause other teams to think twice before signing him.

Piglet – Probability: Moderate

After switching from ADC to mid, Piglet had an up and down season in his new role. For the upcoming split, Piglet may retire or be replaced by another import in the mid lane. If he stays with Team Liquid for next split, do not be surprised to see him move back to his former role of ADC.

FeniX – Probability: Low

The mid laner for Gold Coin United has been regarded as possibly the NA CS's best player this split. After GCU's failure to reach the LCS, he could be an option for teams looking to upgrade their mid, and who have an import slot available. Outside of Team Liquid and NV however, options are limited.

Ninja – Probability: High

Likely the most criticized member of Team EnVyUs, much of the blame for their struggles this split has fallen on Ninja. Currently occupying a valuable import slot, his performance has likely not warranted him staying with the team. Do not be surprised to see him replaced very soon.

Keith – Probability: High

Keith's play has been so poor this split, it has evolved into a meme. With Echo Fox likely to look at other ADC options, Keith's days in the LCS appear numbered. There are few teams in the NA CS who should even consider picking him up at this point.

Doublelift – Probability: Certainty

Doublelift will be returning to TSM to compete for the starting ADC position with WildTurtle. There should be no doubt as to who TSM will choose, considering Doublelift's veteran presence and shot-calling ability.

Shiphtur – Probability: Low

With a wealth of LCS experience, and maybe more importantly resident status, Shiphtur may seem like one of the best available mid lane options for teams looking for mid lane help. Still, the fact the he was not considered for the mid on Team Liquid could be telling as to his perceived value by LCS organizations.

NighT – Probability: High

One of the most talked about possible moves, NighT could soon find himself on another team. The reigning EU Rookie of the Split, NighT is highly sought after as a mid laner. Do not be surprised to find him on a team such as Team Liquid when the next split begins.